As the Lake Elsinore Storm minor league baseball team launches their 2006 season this weekend, cowboys from the historic outdoor play ‘Ramona’ will be on hand to kick up the festivities.  On Friday, April 7th, day two of the Storm baseball season, the ‘Ramona’ cowboys will be part of the opening ceremonies at The Diamond, as the Lake Elsinore Storm takes on the Lancaster JetHawks at 7:05 pm.  Giveaways, a St. Patrick’s Day theme with Irish music and dance, and a fireworks show will round out the evening’s entertainment.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our cowboys to cheer on the Storm and celebrate the beginning of their season, while kicking off our own 83rd season of ‘Ramona,’” said Janine Mundwiler, General Manager of the Ramona Bowl.  Information about ‘Ramona’ will be available at the game.

‘Ramona’ is the Official California State Outdoor Play, and is the oldest and longest running outdoor drama in the United States.  And it’s right here in our own backyard.  ‘Ramona’ is a journey back to the early days of California in a colorful blend of fiction and history the whole family will enjoy.  This classic drama is played in a beautiful outdoor rocky amphitheatre vividly, and it portrays the conflict between Native Americans and the new settlers of the period. Traditional Native American and Mexican music and dancing, authentic costumes, and lively scenes of horses galloping in the late afternoon sky add to the spectacle.

Tickets for ‘Ramona’ are on sale now.  Performance dates for the 2006 season are April 22, 29, 30, and May 6, 7, and 13, 2006.   The gates will open at 1:00 p.m., with entertainment and pre-show activities starting at 1:30 p.m., and continuing until show time.  ‘Ramona’ performances will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m.

For tickets or more information about ‘Ramona,’ call 951-658-3111, or visit www.ramonabowl.com.  For more information about Storm Baseball, call 951-245-HITS, or visit www.stormbaseball.com